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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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A CHILD'S HISTORY 



OF THE UNITED STATES 



{IX VERSE) 



BY 

EMMA WORTMANN 



WITH AN INTRODUCTIOX BY 

C. E. Le Massena 




NEW YORK 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 

1894 



oJsc ' 



Copyright, 1894, by 
EMMA WORTMANN 



,3' 



Press of J. J. Little & Co. 
Astor Place, New York 



INTEODUCTION. 

By means of its history only are we able to trace the vai'ions 
stages of development of a nation. Whether it be one of progress 
or of retrogression ; whether eventful or uneventful ; whether one 
of peace or war ; whether one of harmony or discord — it is the 
history alone which can give us a complete insight into tlie man)^ 
and varied forces which shape the stage upon Avhich national events 
play. But few histories abound in events following each other 
ill such rapid succession as that of America and the United States- 
France may have her Louis XIA^., Louis XVI., and Napoleon ; 
Germany, her Frederick the Great, William L, and Bismarck ; Eng- 
land, her Charles I., Elizabeth, and Wellington. But where ^vill 
one look for another Washington ? Where will we find a second 
Lincoln? Where another Gettysburg? AVhat more enchanting 
reading can one find than pursuing and following, step by step, 
these men and monarchs who have played such an important part 
in the drama of life and in the history of the world ? The his- 
tory of our country is filled, from its very beginning, with the 
most interesting events, some of which the world has never seen 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

the equal — a history abounding in struggles, wars, and strifes : 
tilled with names as familiar as those of Napoleon, AYellington, 
and Cromwell. It stands out as one of intense interest, and none 
can watch the growth of the New World and fail to wonder at and 
admire the pluck and perseverance and devotion of the men and 
women whose names appear so frequently upon its jiages. It 
affords reading as intense as any history of the Avorhl's famous 
nations ; more interesting; than a novel ; more entertainino- than 
a book of travel, and as instructive as it is entertaining. The 
women do not play as important a part in the history of Ameiica 
as they do in that of France or that of England, which adds 
greatly to the attractiveness of the latter ; but we are none the less 
proud of our men and our heroes, and honor the glory which they 
have achieved for the star-spangled banner. The events through 
which this country has passed have been compiled by skilful 
historians, elaborated in beautiful and touching diction, and pre- 
sented in a most attractive form ; but to the young these are alto- 
gether too far in advance of their years, and they are consequently 
unable to become interested, and the study of history has fallen 
too much into the backo-round. The vouno; should have the same 
privileges as the old, and every young person should be thor- 
oughly familiar with the history of his country. In order to 
enable the young folk to study with pleasure, this book has been 



INTRODUCTION. 5 

written. It presents the historical events in a most attractive 
manner, and, being in verse, cannot but interest those for whom 
it has been written. The young folk are entitled to this, and all 
who accept it will hnd upon its pages the wonderful story of our 
country's progress, depicted in a faithful manner, and presented 
in a most pleasing and novel form. 



CONTENTS. 

Page 
CHAPTER I. 

Discovery of America H 

CHAPTER 11. 

The Colonists 14 

CHAPTER III. 
The Pilgrims and other Settlers 19 

CHAPTER IV. 
Life of the First Settlers 33 

CHAPTER V. 
Colonial Wars 25 

CHAPTER VI. 
The Acadians 28 

CHAPTER VII. 
The Fall of Louisburg, Prontenac, and Duquesne 31 

CHAPTER VIII. 
The Fall of Quebec, and the Conquest of Canada 34 

CHAPTER IX. 
Causes of the Revolution 38 

CHAPTER X. 
The Outbreak of the Revolution, and the Declaration of Independence . . 43 

CHAPTER XL 

The Battle of Trenton, and the Capture of Burgoyne's Army . . . .47 



8 CONTENTS. 

Page 
CHAPTER XII. 

Sad Times of the First Revolution 51 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The New Republic ........ 58 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Second War with England 67 

CHAPTER XV. 
Monroe to Van Buren 75 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Inventions 77 

CHAPTER XVII. 
The Mexican War 80 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The Civil War 89 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Naval Battles 104 

CHAPTER XX. 
Battles between Nashville and Atlanta 107 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Battles in the Wilderness and at Petersburg 113 

CHAPTER XXII. 
The Battles in the Valley 114 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
End of the Civil War 118 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Death of Lincoln 123 

Conclusion . . . = 125 

Table of Presidents 130 



STAR-SPANGLED BANNER. 

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, 

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight. 

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ? 
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, 
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. 
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave ? 

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, 
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes ; 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep. 

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses ? 
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, 
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream. 
'Tis the star-spangled banner, oh ! long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave ! 

And where is that band, who so vauntingly swore 
That the havoc of Avar, and the battle's confusion, 

A home and a country should leave us no more ? 

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. 



10 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

No refuge could save the hireling and slave 
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave. 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand 

Between their loved home and wild war's desolation ! 
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land 

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. 
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just. 
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust." 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

Frakcis Scott Key (1814). 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

CHAPTER I. 

THE DISCOVERY OF AMEEICA. 

In Fourteen Huiidi'ed and Ninety-Two, 
Columbus, a man whom nobody knew, 
With a heart full of hope and deepest emotion, 
In three little ships sailed over the ocean. 

The names of the ships were the " Nina " and " Pinta," 
But the best and the third was named " Santa Maria." 
On the third day of August, from Palos, in Spain. 
He sailed ; but none thought to see him again. 

The sailors w^ere frightened the farther they went, 
And threatened his life if he would not relent ; 
A great many days they had sailed, but in vain, 
So they wanted the ships pointed homeward again. 



12 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

But Columbus informed tliem : " Three days, only, more 
Let me sail on, and I'll bring you ashore." 
When the third morning dawned, a sailor ci^ied out : 
" I see the land he has told us about ! " 

With great fear and trembling, they fell on their knees 

And begged of Columbus their fears to appease. 

So he lifted his hand, pointing up to the sky : 

" Not to me you must kneel, but to God upon high." 

Columbus knelt down and prayed with his crew, 
For the beautiful land of which nobody knew ; 
And the name " San Salvador " gave he to the land, 
For he knew the good Lord had guided his hand. 

He discovered more islands, while cruising around ; 
And when his vessels were homeward bound, 
AVell stored with riches, and natives, too, 
He had nothing to fear from a penitent crew. 

Then kind Isabella, the good Queen of Spain, 
And Ferdinand, too, received him again. 
They gave him great honor, and bade him sit down 
And tell to the court, of the laud he had found. 



'HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 13 

Columbus set sail again the next year, 
And discovered the island of Hayti, so fair. 
Twice more did Columbus cross the broad sea, 
And seven years later he died, as you see. 

A great man was he, this bold navigator. 
Who made a mistake, discovered much later 
Instead of landing on old Asia's shore, 
He had found a new laud, and a continent more. 

But the honor of giving a name to that land 
Was given to another, who saw the mainland 
But seven years later; and yet the same 
Was named after him, to honor his name. 

And from poor Columbus, though sad 'tis to say, 
The people turned their attention away ; 
And instead of us saying " Columbia," 
The country was called "America." 



14 HISTORY OF TEE UNITED STATES.* 



CHAPTER II. 



THE COLONISTS. 



Many more navigators to America sped, 
To explore the ne^y laud that was talked of and read 
But none thought it wise to settle down there, 
Until AValter Raleigh received his full share. 

In Fifteen Hundred and Eighty-Four, 

Followed soon after by many more, 

He sent out a neAV and grand expedition, 

To explore the new land, and report its condition. 

They returned and told of the things they had seen, 
And in honor of England's fair Virgin Queen, 
Elizabeth Tudor, so kind and so true, 
He called the new colony " Virginia," too. 

The colony prospered not so well as he thought. 
Though tobacco and rice to Ensfland were brou2;ht. 
• And the first English child born far over there 
Was named, like the colony, '' Virginia Dare." 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 15 

Many long years liad now passed away, 
And in London's Tower sat AValter Raleigli. 
ElizabetL died, Sixteen Hundred and Tliree, 
And lie was beheaded on bended knee. 

In the month of December, when tempests abound. 
Went a new expedition to the land newly found ; 
And four months they sailed without seeing land, 
AVhen storm drove their ship to a river at hand. 

To honor the King of England they cried : 
" We'll call it ' James River,' and near it abide." 
The country was lovely, the flowers were sweet, 
And grew in abundance right under their feet. 

They founded a city and called it " Jamestown," 
But the Indians came and encamped all around. 
Of a hundred strong men who first landed there, 
But fifty survi\'ed, with the greatest of care. 

J(din Smith, a young man, was one of the cre^^', 
AYho helped the poor men the best way he knew. 
He was once made a captive, but Powhatan, the chief 
Of thirty strong tribes, soon sent him relief. 



16 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Pocahontas, his daughter, as kind as could be, 

Had pity on Smith, and had him set free. 

Then he was made governor of this little town, 

But returned soon to England, his home and his crown. 

Sad times now awaited the colony there. 
For the red men attacked them everywhere. 
The food gave out, so they searched around 
And lived upon things that there could be found. 

With a ship-load of people, and provisions in store. 
Sir Thomas Gates sailed from England's old shore. 
He stranded on Bermuda, the land of the rose. 
Before the long year had come to a close. 

Dui'ing the months of that winter, the crew 
Remained there, until the warmer winds blew ; 
And in spring they set sail for poor Jamestown, 
Where death had most of the people struck do^vn. 

But if they had waited a few days more 
They all would have died on that unhappy shore. 
So Gates took away that poor little band. 
Intending to take them to Newfoundland. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 17 

But Lord De la AVarre from Eiiglaud was sent, 
Who met them, and Inick to Jamestown they went, 
Where he lielped them to woi-k and induced them to stay ; 
But he had to give up, for his health gave way. 

Thomas Dale then took charge of the colony, 
But "was hated h\ all for his great cruelty. 
The Indians again l^ecame troublesome, 
Destroying villages and many a home. 

But sweet Pocahontas, now growing in years. 
Became a good Christian, -without any fears. 
Siie married John Rolfe, an Englishman true, 
And peace was restored ^vith the Indians, too. 

As " Lady Eel)ecea " to England she sailed, 
And wherever she \vent with joy was she hailed. 
She received much attention from every one there, 
xVnd Avas talked about constantly everywhere. 

For a princess ^vas she, though of Indian Idood ; 
But her poor y<)ung life Avas nipped in the bud, 
And before she could go to her native land 
Cruel death had crushed her Avith his cold band. 

2 



18 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

So the colonists planted tobacco, and made 

A mucli better living, though trouble they had. 

In Sixteen-Sixteen, in counting them all, 

But three hundred and fifty answered the call. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 19 



CHAPTER III. 

THE PILGRIMS AND OTHER SETTLERS. 

At that time, the parsons of England fonglit 
A 2:i'eat deal about liow relio;ion was taufcht : 
AVith each other they could not agree, 
For every one thought so differently. 

One parson, named John Robinson, 
Being tired of all the pro and con. 
Took part of his flock to Ley den, and 
Remained thirteen years in old Holland. 

They called themselves ^' Pilgrims," intending to take 
A journey yet longer, for religion's sake. 
A sea-ship they built, working hard every hour. 
And gave her the beautiful name — "Mayflower." 

In Sixteen-Twenty, a band of not more 
Than one hundred strong, left Holland's old shore; 
They sailed in the Mayflower, to the far-off' land, 
And great were the fears for the brave little band. 



20 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Near the end of December of this year, they 
Ou Plymouth Rock landed one sunshiny day ; 
Kneeling down, they thanked God for His guiding hand, 
AVhich had safely brought them to this peaceful land. 

But they were not used to a climate so cold, 
And many sickened and died in this fold. 
Before the cold winter to spring gave way, 
Forty-four of the hundred were taken away. 

The Indians, also, everywhere, 

Tormented the settlers who had come there ; 

But Miles Staudish, commander at Plymouth then, 

Severely dealt with the red-faced men. 

And the Pilo-rims suffered from want of food, 
And the little they had was far from good. 
But many moi'e Pilgrims, from Holland's old shore, 
Came over and strengthened the colony more. 

Soon after the Pilgrims had settled here, 
The austere "Puritans" followed their rear. 
And before ten years had passed away. 
Twenty thousand, and more, had come to stay. 



HISrORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 21 

Among tliem were people of every nation, 

Of wliicli the Dntcli formed a laro-e cou2:reo:ation. 

An Englishman found a river, the same 

We call " Hudson," to honor his name. 

On the Isle of Manhattan, the Dutchmen Iniilt 
The city ISTew Amsterdam, which rapidly filled. 
But the Eno'lish drove the Dutchmen away, 
And called it " New York," the name of to-day. 

William Penn, a good Quaker, had large tracts of land, 
And to poor settlers coming, who could not command 
The price of a farm, he let them live free, 
Until they were able to pay him the fee. 

The Indians and white men often fousfht 

With each other fiercely, for the red men thought 

That the white men treated them unjustly. 

And they revenged themselves always most horribly. 

More colonies were founded, and invited to come 
Were the French, Irish, Germans, to find a new home. 
They spread o'er the country, along the sea-coast, 
But many went westward, and many were lost. 



22 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

And tlie Indians fought for many long years 
Tlie pale-faced men, Avitliout any fears, 
iVnd thought they had much superior strength ; 
But the white men defeated them all, at leuo-th. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 23 



CHAPTER IV. 

LIFE OF THE FIKST SETTLERS. 

When the first white settlers came to this shore 
They left home comforts behind evermore ; 
No houses nor any dwellings they found, 
But lived in holes which they dug in the ground. 

But after some time they learned how to liuild 
Rude cabins of logs, and also they tilled 
And planted a great many acres of land 
With what was needed for their little band. 

In a time so full of hard labor and need, 
The settlers had little spare-time indeed ; 
And the children's instruction did not amount 
To moi'e than to read, to write, and to count. 

Now, after some years, as life onward flew. 
They had soon forgotten what little they knew ; 
And when some were asked to sign their name, 
But few were able to do the same. 



24 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The schools were few and likewise poo]-, 

And of a fee few teachers wei'e sure ; 

Their work was hard, as it is to-da} , 

And none of them ever grew rich from their pay. 

There were not many books, and no newspapers, then; 
Letters wei'e ^vl'itten but seldom, and Avhen 
One was received by someljody there, 
It created excitement around everywhere. 

On Sunday morning, the beating of drums 
Called them to church, and they took their guns 
To be ready in case of a sudden sur2:)rise 
From the Indians ever ready to rise. 

The}" increased in wealth, and grew more refined 
In their ha1)its and tastes, and left Ijehind 
The simple dwellings where their forefathers bold 
Had lived and died, so the stor}" is told. 



Some of the Imildino-s are standins; yet, 
AVhich, if you see, you will never forget | 
And of the inhabitants, Ijrave and bold, 
Many sad stories are frequently told. 



HISTORY OF THE UXITED STATES. 25 



CHAPTER V. 



COLONIAL AVARS. 



Ix Sixteen Hundred and Eiglity-Mne, 

Broke out " King William's War," 
For William the Third Avas, at that time, 

The King of England's shore. 
The French against the English fought, 

AYith bitter, deadly ire ; 
It took nine years until they thought 

From fighting to retire. 

And quiet reigned awhile, with fears. 

When " Queen Anne's War " began ; 
It lasted nigh eleven years, 

Though peace was made again. 
But deeds too awful to recite, 

In these two Avars Avere done. 
For Indians Avere allowed to fight. 

And help the AA^hite men on. 



26 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

In Seveuteeu Hundred and Forty-Four, 

" Kino; Geoi'o-e's AVar " Ijroke out, 
Wliicli made, \^lien foui' long years were o'er, 

The Englisli " Triumph " shout. 
The French had to surrender, and 

New England's joy was great ; 
And peace, so hniged for in the Land, 

AVas made in Forty-Eight. 



'Twas only six years later, when 

The war again broke out. 
George Washington, a young man then 

Of twenty-one about, 
Was sent to lead his soldiers glad 

Against the French again. 
Who on Ohio River had 

A fort they called Duquesne. 

The place was strongly fortified, 

So Washington retired. 
But one year later, Braddock tried. 

With soldiers well inspired. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 27 

To iiglit tlie French, \\T\i\\ bravery, 

And take the Fort Duquesiie ; 
But being wounded mortally, 

The fio;ht was lost airain. 

And in the summer of that year 

When Braddock was defeated, 
In Canada's Dominion neai-, 

Some settlers were ill-treated. 
No sadder story can one read 

Than that which will now follow, 
Though they themselves had sown the seed 

Of all their untold sorrow. 



28 IIISTOEY OF THE UyiTED STATES. 



CHAPTEE YI. 



THE ACADIAjS'S. 



New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, 

To Canada belong. 
In a district called "Acadia," 

Frencli settlers, l)old and strono^. 
For more than a hundred years 

Had founded a colony there ; 
They lived contentedly without fears 

Of the sorrows they had to bear. 

But secretly they sided 

AYith the French, against their foe, 
And, never dreaming, glided 

To a life of greatest woe. 
For resolved were the English Canadians, 

As the best of remedies. 
To scatter the Acadians 

Through the vai'ious colonies. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 29 

So the babies and women and children 

Were seized and carried away ; 
And none of the men conhl help them, 

For prisoners themselves were they. 
Their houses were then set l^urning, 

And made even with the ground ; 
But many, from sorrow and grieving, 

An early grave they fonnd. 

And the settlers were carried downward, 

To Louisiana, and some far to the west, 
And some to the east and northward, 

Away from their homes once blessed. 
All over the colonies scattered 

The unhappy settlers Avere, 
And their sorrows, and home life shattered, 

Caused pity from every one there. 

But some of the poor Acadians, 

After wanderino; for vears around, 
With the help of some kind Canadians, 

The way to their homes had found. 



-30 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

And a poet well crowned with glory, 
The dear old Longfellow, strove 

To tell ns the sorrowful story 
Of Evangeline's long, true love. 



HISTORY OF THE U2iITED STATES. 31 



CHAPTER VIL 

THE FALL OF LOUISBUKG, FRONTEXAC, AND DUQUESNE. 

Most all tlie fio^litino; of that year 

lu failure terminated ; 
111 all the battles, far and near, 

The English Avere defeated. 
The statesmen of old England were 

Quite stupid and demented ; 
The way they carried on the war 

Made people discontented. 

William Pitt, of England fair, 

Prime Minister became ; 
He soon was very A\'ell aware 

Whereon to lay the blame. 
Commanders clever, strong, and bold, 

With, greatest care, he chose 
To fight the French and Indians old, 

Their bitter, deadly foes. 



32 .HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

lu Seventeen Hundred and Fifty-EigLt, 

Amherst took Loiiisburg, 
A stronghold of the French estate, 

A place strong and secure. 
The Englishmen, long years before, 

Had taken it in fight, 
But after Seventeen-Forty-Four, 

Returned it for some right. 



Also from Fort Frontenac, 

On Lake Ontario's shore, 
Amherst was sure the Enoiish flas; 

In triumph would fly o'er. 
And in the ninth month of the year, 

The beautiful September, 
The English Joyfully did hear 

Of its complete surrender. 

And General Forbes, though sick in l)ed, 

Went on to Fort Duquesne ; 
His way through unknown forests led, 

By roads cut by his men. 



HISTORY OF THE VXITED STATES. 33 

He took tlie fort, its arms and men, 

And built another near it ; 
Pittsburgh, its name has always been, 

In honor of William Pitt. 

At Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain, 

The Ens^lish ran for their boats ; 
For in trying to take it many ^vere slain, 

For targets ^vere made of red-coats. 
But nothing loath, these soldiers prime 

Were happy, nevertheless, 
And thought that, at another time. 

They would have more success. 



34 HIISTORY OF THE UyiTED STATES. 



CHAPTEK VIII. 

THE FALL OF QUEBEC AXD THE COjS^QUEST OF CANADA. 

A YEAR after that, yoiiDg Wolfe had ap})eared 

To take Fort Quebec, wbicli ou liigli I'ocks was reared ; 

He thought it impossiljle to capture it ever. 

The more as tlie fall came Avith very cold weather. 

Quebec's strong commander, Montcalm, wide awake, 

Was faithful and true, foi' his dear country's sake ; 

And his horses ^vere ready all day and all night. 

To carry him straight to the place of the light. 

On a cold winter's night, with twenty-four men, 

Wolfe climl)ed up the rocks, through the bushes, and when. 

Tlie dark nioht aiiain to the mornino; o-ave way, 

On " Abraham's Plain " stood in battle array. 

N<)^y this gallant young Wolfe, whom all of his men 

Had followed behind, unknown to him then. 

Had the guard on the fort driven off by his gun, 

Asa sio-n to his soldiers of a battle begun. 



HISTORY OF THE UXITED STATES. 35 

Moutcalm, Avitli great courage, attacked liim right tliei'e, 
But liis rauks were soon broken in everywhere ; 
For Wolfe his soldiers in person led, 
And the enemy soon in confusion fled. 
T-wice wounded by bullets, he fought on, strong willed, 
Till a third shot, well aimed, this brave soldier killed. 
Before he sank do\vn, while the glad shouts increase, 
He cried : " Be God praised ! I can now die in peace." 



Such were his last words ; but Montcalm, his great foe, 

Being mortally wounded, was also laid low. 

To his sorro^vful soldiers who held up his head. 

With his parched and dry lips, these words he had said 

" I am happy to die, before I can see 

Quebec's calm surrender to my enem}'." 

So Montcalm and Wolfe, though enemies then. 

Had each served their country, as brave and good meu. 

Canada's conquest was then soon completed. 
And Montreal's capture with wild joy was greeted ; 
And in Seventeen Hundred and Sixty-Three, 
Both Eno;land and France were oblio-ed to ao-ree 



36 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

That all Frencli possessions which were on tlie east 
Of the long Mississippi, except though at least 
jSTew Orleans and some land sniToundino; it there, 
Should fall to the English as their proper share. 



Then the joy in the colonies knew no bound 
AVhen the news of the treaty was spreading around; 
For seventy-hve years, these horrible wai's 
On the unhappy country had left their deep scars. 
For the French and the Indians had sided against 
The Englishmen in their poor settlements; 
But the latter were ahvays hated by them, 
For the}^ tried to worry and fight them again. 

An Indian chief who was named Pontiac, 
In the year of the peace, had made an attack 
On some forts conducted by Englishmen, 
And slaughtered most cruelly all of them ; 
Of the frontier settlers, encamped about there, 
Many were slain, without pity or care ; 
And the horrible Indians, but latel}^ subdued, 
Seemed lurkinsf around, with no fears imbued. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 37 

So tlie Englisli saw tlie uecessity 

Of attacking their enemy suddenly ; 

Five liinidred l)i'ave men made a strong little band 

Under General Bouquet's skilful command, 

AVere sent to the Indian countiy, where 

Some desperate fighting soon caused a great scare. 

The red men were slain, ^vitll a great loss of men ; 

" Bushy Kun " is the name they gave the place then. 

Pontiac's War, which had started so fast, 
Of the four colonial wars was the last ; 
The Indians, for some time, dared not again 
Enter in ^^'ar with these strong white men ; 
But already there ^vas a feeling in some. 
That a better government was sure to come. 
But a few years later, war broke out again. 
And England's fine plans received a bhick stain. 



38 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER IX. 

CAUSES OF THE E ETOLUTION. 

The Eno-lisli of old Eno-laud tliouo-lit 

To add to their domiuions 
The colonies, for Avliich they fought 

The French and crnel Indians. 
But had they been a little kind 

To that young struggling nation, 
Who knows, they never in their mind 

Would have thought of separation. 

But very unjust laws were made — 

Too unjust to obey ; 
The colonists were forced to trade 

With England, at poor pay. 
And smuggling all along the coast 

Was thouo;ht but well and rio-ht ; 
And many a one was proud to boast 

Of what he did by sleight. 



HISTORY OF THE UyiTED STATES. 39 

The " Stamp Act " was anotlier laAV 

Received with great vexation ; 
Tile colonists now plainly saw 

The greed of England's nation ; 
For every l)ill and lease and note, 

They had to nse stamped paper, 
And all their doenments they wrote 

On it for t^velve months later. 



But it was sold at such a price, 

By officers appointed, 
That it should bring an income nice 

To Eno-lish kino;8 anointed. 
This caused a deal of discontent 

And angry disputation, 
Until the colonies were bent 

Upon a separation. 



The " Stamp Act '' was repealed, at last, 
Though other ways of barter 

The English found, and very fast 
Their soldiers sent for quarter. 



40 HISTORY OF THE UXITED STATES. 

Tlie colouists were meant to pay 
Them for this unjust dealing, 

But they refused it, saying " Nay," 
Which caused much angry feeling. 

And many other things ^vere taxed — 

Cloth and tea and household kit ; 
The colonists so angry waxed 

That they no more would bear it ; 
This state of things, and come what niay, 
Refuse the goods, they had to pay, 
And live on what they made alone, 
On their own farms and city home. 

The tax was taken oif again 
From everything 1 )ut tea ; 
And though the price was lower then, 

The colonists, with glee. 
Refused to buy, and 1)ack they sent 
It to the English Government. 
And worse to do thev did ao;ree, 
As you and I shall qinckly see. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 41 

At Boston, fifty men, disguised 

As Mohawk Indians, went 
On board a sliip, and soon capsized 

All tea from England sent 
Into tlie sea, and joyfully 

Went Ijack to home again. 
'Twas called the " Boston Tea-Party," 

A name much laughed at then. 



But when this news to England came, 

Boston was to be punished; 
Its port was closed until the same 

Should pay for the tea damaged. 
And Boston's people were indeed 

In sore and great distress. 
But were helped, in their sore need, 

By kind friends, nevertheless. 

And more and more their feeling rose 
Against the English nation. 

Until they brought it to a close 
By formal separation. 



42 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

And meanwhile all the people did 
Get ready for the fight, 

Which was to come, no doubt of it, 
To give them back their right. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 43 



CHAPTER X. 

THE OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTION, AND THE DECLARATION" OF 

INDEPENDENCE. 

The British ^ve^e commaucled, 

At Boston, by Geiiei'al Gage, 
Who tried, but quickly abandoned, 

The reljellion to assuao-e. 
He sent some troops, at midnight. 

From Boston to Concord, whei'e 
He bade them destroy, ere daylight, 

The army stores out there. 

The Americans had a l)ody 

Of soldiers, called " Minute Men "— 
So named because they were ready 

To be called at the minute ; and when 
At Lexington, in a skirmish, 

The English killed' eight of these men, 
Their comi'ades soon caused the poor British 

To look for some shelter ao;ain. 



44 HISTORY OF THE UXITED STATES. 

For the Miuute Men were swarmiua: 

'Round them, like maddened bees, 
And attacked them without any warning. 

From rocks and fences and trees. 
To Lexington, the British retreated, 

In a state of exhaustion, and Avhen 
Their dead and disabled were counted, 

They numbered some three hundred men. 



The Americans were proud and merry 

After tlie Lexino-ton fio;ht, 
And messengers rode to carry 

The news of the victory bright, 
All over New England counties, 

And the Middle and Soutliern States 
Then, thanking God for His bounties, 

Collected for further debates. 

And " Bunker Hill " next ^vas to follow 
In the line of battles Avell fouglit. 

Though, to the Americans' sorrow. 
No decided victory brought. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 45 

And still tliey use it to mentiou 

A battle wliicli was not defeat, 
For tlie Avant of more ammunition 

Compelled tliem at last to retreat. 



Meanwhile the soldiers expected 

A leader of tlie new army ; 
Georo;e WasLins^ton was tlien elected, 

For liis unquestioned bravery. 
He had gained a great reputation, 

In all the fierce wars of the time ; 
He loved his OAvn adored nation ; 

Against duties he did not repine. 

He brought his irregular army 

To a state of orderly life, 
And took the command in the balmy 

July, Seventeen-Seventy-Five. 
He besieged the British at Boston, 

And fortified Dorchester Heights, 
And forced them soon to abandon 

The city, so thimaged by fights. 



46 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

It was only a few niontlis later, 

When the "Declaration of Independence " was signed, 
And every one thanked his Creator, 

With feelino;s l)oth solemn and kind. 
And America's children Mill honor, 

As a day of great happiness, 
The " Fourth of July " in its splendor, 

Which commemorates their success. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 4:1 



CHAPTER XL 

THE BATTLE OF TREXTOIST, AISTD THE CAPTURE OF BURGOYNE's ARMY. 

The people so overcome with Joy, 
Being short of bullets, went out to destroy 
The leaden statue of King George the Third, 
An action to which they, l^y want, "were urged ; 
And the lead of it then into bullets they run 
To serve in the war, which indeed had begun. 

The Americans' joy soon ended in fear. 

For a battle was fought on Long Island, near 

The city of Brooklyn, in which they were slain 

By the British, and lost a great many men ; 

So AYashington quickly withdrew from Long Island, 

Leaving the whole in his enemy's hand. 

And also New York was obliged to surrender 
Before the end of the month of September. 



48 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The British soon captured Fort AVashington, 
With two thousand Americans, and thereupon 
General Washington was obliged to beat, 
'Cross Jersey to Penn., a careful retreat. 

The American cause seemed ruined indeed, 
And of some success they wej'e sorely in need. 
So Washington, being a clever, strong man. 
Had made up his mind to attack them again. 
At Trenton, some German soldiers there wei-e, 
Whom the English had hired and stationed there. 

AVashington, planning a sudden surprise, 
Crossed the Delaware, then full of ice ; 
'Twas on Christmas night, awful and cold. 
When he rowed o'er the river with soldiers bold ; 
And at Trenton he fell on the sleeping men. 
And captured a thousand prisoners, then. 

At Princeton again he made an attack 

On the British, and forced them to quickly fall back ; 

He took this place, on that luck}' day, 

And his enemy scattered in wild dismay. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 49 

And most of New Jersey was then once again 
In tlie liauds of tlie free American men. 



But after tliat time, tliey lost again 

Two more battles 'gainst tlie Englishmen ; 

The first was that of the '' Brandy wine," 

Where the British broke the Americans' line ; 

In Sev^enty-seven, on the eleventh day 

Of September, they flew from the fatal fray. 

The next was that of Germantown, 

Where the poor Americans again lost renown. 

The British had taken Philadelphia, and 

Had a great many soldiers at their command. 

On the fourth of Octol^er, the self-same year. 

The Americans lost, which filled them with fear. 

And General Burgoyne, who had now come forth 

From the region of Canada, far in the North, 

Was a good strong soldier, afraid of naught, 

And for the good of his country earnestly fought ; 

But his army was beaten at " Bemis's Heights," 

By the Americans, after a hard long fight. 
4 



50 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

In Seventy-Seven, sixteentli of October, 

He surrendered his army and himself moreover. 

This victory delivered the American cause 

From the greatest peril, and allowed them to pause 

For a short time from fight, and without alloy 

They gave themselves up to a heartfelt joy. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 51 



CHAPTER XII. 

SAD TIMES OF THE FIEST EEYOLUTION. 

BtJT soon the icy cold north winds blew, 

Wliicli made AVasliington troubled, for ^vell lie knew 

That there was no money wherewith to buy 

The necessities for his army's supply ; 

And Valley Forge, where his quarters then were, 

Was so bleak and cold for the army there. 

Some of the soldiers sat up through the night 
To enjoy the hre, the warmth, and the light, 
For they had no blankets to keep them warm, 
No shoes on their feet to shield them from harm ; 
And when they Avalked, often was found 
Blood in their tracks on the frozen ground. 

Valley Forge, during winter, was frightfully sad. 
The poor soldiers suffered in quarters so bad ; 



62 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

And tlieir sufferings as well as their bravery 
Excited in Europe much sympathy. 
And France was then thinkins; of entering: in 
An alliance with these bold, brave men. 



A treaty of union which bore the date 

January thirtieth, Sevent} -Eight, 

Was signed Ijy France and America, 

AVhich made the poor soldiers shout and hurrah ; 

And of this alliance, which appeased quite their fear, 

Was the recovery of Philadelphia dear. 

Now Sir Henry Clinton, succeeding Howe, 
AVas afraid that the French might blockade now 
The Delawai'e River, and keep Avithin 
Philadelphia city his soldiers and him. 
Rushed to New York, and on his way 
AYas pursued by AYashington's bold army. 

And the battle of Monmouth, in New Jersey state, 
Was fought June the eighteenth, Seventy-Eight, 
The Americans partially gained the fight, 
The foe retreating' under cover of nio^lit. 



HISTORY OF THE UXITED STATES. 53 

Aud tlie British grew tired of fighting heDceforth 
The determined, courageous, bohl men from the North. 

But down in the South, the English fought 
With better success, for rightly they thought 
That, where many more slaves than freemen ^vere, 
'Twould be easy to beat the Americans there. 
So Savannah was taken in Seventy-Eight, 
And Georgia England did subjugate. 

In the following year, an attempt was made 

To retake Savannah, with the Fi-ench fleet's aid ; 

But it failed, and moreover the British won. 

After a siege, the city Charleston. 

Twas in Seventeen -Eighty, the month of May, 

AVhen the city surrendered in great dismay. 

In South Carolina, at Camden you see, 
Cornwallis beat Gates, filling England with glee ; 
Gates' army was routed, it had to disperse, 
Though brave were the men, but fortune adverse ; 
And still the British could not again 
Boast of success 'gainst these freemen. 



54 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

From joiniug the army a good many shrank, 

As they had little pay, and the food was rank ; 

They refused, by the English, to be subdued, 

And preferred their sad life, minus clothing and food. 

They lurked in the forests and swamps around, 

And fell on the English where'er they were found. 

In this noble strife for independence, occurred 
Something which had better never been heard ; 
An American soldier, Benedict Arnold by name. 
Betrayed his own country, to his undying shame. 
Of West Point, on Hudson, he had the command. 
Which he tried, for some money, to sell to England. 

To him was soon sent young Major Andre, 

An officer from the British army. 

Who arranged ^vith Arnold, and received from him 

The plans of the fortress and the strength within ; 

But whilst trying to reach New York, Andre 

Was captured by three men, while on his way. 

And kingly rewards he offered in vain, 

But nothino^ would bribe these honest freemen. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 55 

They took liim and his papers to an officer near by, 
And Andre was tried and hung as a spy ; 
But the scoundrel Arnold liad time to scrape 
Up his ill-gotten money and make his escape. 

In Seventeen Hundred and Eighty-One, 
The Americans' hopes to rise had begun. 
General Greene had then taken command 
In the South with a strong, experienced hand ; 
Had improved the ruined army there, 
AVith new recruits coming from everywhere. 

The Americans fighting with great bravery, 

At the battle of Co^vpens, in January, 

In the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty-One, 

Defeated the British under Tarleton ; 

And Greene, with his skilful and soldierly Aviles 

Fell back in Virginia, some two hundred miles. 

But Cornwallis followed with all of his men, 
And at Hillsboro' Greene turned south again. 
And avoided a battle, until at length 
His army had gathered sufficient strength. 



56 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Though at Guilford Court House, Cornwallis' army 
Drove back the Americans, at close of day. 

But his arm}^ was shattered, aud he hastened to beat 

Down the sea-coast a hasty retreat, 

Leaving the wounded and dead in the hands 

Of the hotly pursuing Americans ; 

Oreensboro' was the name of that scene, 

So named in honor of General Greene. 

Cornwallis, the ablest commander then 
The English could boast of among their men. 
With the Americans many a hard battle fought. 
Until Washington, marching southward, thought 
To besiege him in Yorktown, Virginia, 
The oldest colony in all Ameiica. 

And in Seventeen Hundred and Eighty-One, 

The eighteenth of October had not quite gone. 

To Washington on that eventful day, 

Cornwallis surrendered his sword and t4rmy. 

The close of the war was now near at hand, 

Eor peace was hoped for throughout the whole land. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 57 

And all were tired of fighting and ^var, 
But chiefly the people in England afar. 
So on terms of peace, which wei-e indeed 
Agreeable to all, they at length agreed ; 
And England promised that never again 
AVonld she enter in Avar with American men. 

Washington, the idol of his people free. 

Resigned the command in Eighty-Three. 

A tender farewell he bade to his troops, 

Standing in silent and sorrowful groups. 

To Mount Yernon he went, to his home so deal', 

To be a good citizen henceforth, without fear. 



58 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



THE NEW KEPUBLIC. 



Several years liad now passed away 

O'er ilie head of this new-born nation ; 
The people were again enjoying their liberty, 

Bat surely needed more consolidation ; 
And their eyes turned toward George Washington, 

Their nation's most beloved idol, 
And elected him President Number One 

Of the Republic, without a rival. 

In Seventeen Hundred and Eighty-Nine, 

On the thirtieth day of the month of April, 
He was inaugurated, and served his time 

And his country with love and abundance of skill. 
And John Adams was chosen the Vice-Pi-esident, 

And became President, after eight years. 
When Washington retired from the government, 

Bidding farewell to his people with tears. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 59 

Philadelphia, iu Seventeen Ninety-One, 

"Was the capital of the country ; 
In New York it was first, but later on 

Was to AVashington moved, in splendor and beauty. 
And in Seventeen Hundred and Ninety-Two 

Washin2:ton was then reelected. 
For the people loved this President true, 

Who never his duty neglected. 



But during his time, the Indians bold 

A merciless war began, 
In the little State of Kentucky old, 

With a horrible slaughter of men. 
For the women and children so unfortunate. 

Neither pity nor shelter was found ; 
And a horrible name was given this State — 

"The dark and the bloody ground." 



General Harmer was sent, before very long, 

Against these Indians to fight; 
But Little Turtle, an Indian strong. 

Killed the soldiers and put them to flight. 



60 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

So St. Clair was desj^atclied, in the following yeai", 

To subdue these ci-uel men ; 
But Little Turtle, in Indian gear, 

Routed and ruined his army again. 

AVashington was greatly distressed indeed 

When this horrible news was told. 
Of a fearless commander, he saw the great need, 

So he sent General Wayne, who was fearless and bold ; 
His prudence and undaunted courage were such 

That " Mad Anthony AVayne " he was frequently called. 
The Indians were soon shrinking back from his touch, 

And named him " Black Snake," meaning something that 
crawled. 

In Seventeen Hundred and Ninety-Four, 

On the banks of the river Maumee, 
He defeated the Indians, and brought once more 

Quiet and peace to the country ; and he 
Was much feared by the Indians, who, 

Besides the name " Black Snake that creeps," 
Gave him another, a finer one too : 

They called him " White Chief who never once sleeps." 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 61 

In Seventeen Hundred and Muety-Mne, 

On tlie fourteenth of December, that most kind and bold 
Father of Liberty, scarce past his prime, 

Died calmly and peacefully, six and sixty years old. 
For eight years he had been a true President, 

And could have received the honor ao;ain, 
But declined ; and at Mount Vernon he spent 

The rest of his life, the most happy of men. 



He had been of the Army Commander-in-Chief ; 

Admiral of the Navy he was later on. 
The entire young country was plunged deep in grief 

AVhen the news of his death was known ; 
And his kindness will never, in all later dates, 

Be forgotten, as sho^\al each year on his birthday, 
Which is set all over the United States 

For a great celebration and a grand holiday. 

Now John Adams, who had been Vice-President 

During Washington's administration, 
Was given the reins of the Government, 

Which he kept well in hand for four years' duration. 



62 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Aud miicli of liis time was then occupied 

Witli tlie quarrelliDg Frencli figliting in their own land, 
Who after the horrors of their civil war's tide 

Were held firm in check by Napoleon's hand. 



But Adams avoided a new war with care, 

For his country demanded his constant attention ; 
She was still weak and feeble, and could not bear 

To 1)6 torn again by another dissension. 
So the country prospered and grew in strength, 

Though of many things she was sadly in lack. 
Washington was made the capital, at length, 

On the banks of the river Potomac. 



In the very first year of the new century 

Thomas Jefferson was elected 
Third President of the Republic to be, 

Which was everywhere now respected. 
And during his term tlie States were at peace 

With all of the foreign nations ; 
American commerce began to increase, 

For wise were his administrations. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 63 

But during liis time a long war ensued 

Between old England and France ; 
And on this occasion the English engaged, 

With a great deal of arrogance, 
Every man who was in Great Britain born, 

Though serving for many years past 
On American ships, as one of their own, 

To do duty before the mast. 



Now from the English Government 

Was permission to officers given, 
To exercise their o^\\\ Judgment 

As to whether a man was a Briton. 
Thousands were taken from American ships, 

Which were stopped and searched on the ocean ; 
Their sailors were forced into English service, 

Where they served full of wrathful emotion. 

But England was powerful on the sea, 

And small the American navy ; 
And during the wars in Europe, the free 

Little Union -went on very bravely. 



64 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

But England forbade the American trade 
Witli all of tlie France-liking countries, 

AVliilst Bonaparte issued some orders wliicli made 
It impossible to suit Englisli fancies. 



These decrees, which were issued from England and France 

Directly one after the other, 
Became so severe that it was a mere chance 

If a ship could arrive without bother. 
England at sea was the strongest b}' far, 

And her ships sailing everyAvhere 'round, 
Did greater harm than France in this Avar, 

For they stopped every ship that they found. 

Had America then been as strong as to-day. 

She would not have borne such an outrage ; 
What the end would be no one could say, 

For the problem was most hard to manage. 
HoAV to pay the debt of his dear country 

President Jefferson was anxiously wondering; 
And to avoid a war with his old enemy 

AVas his thought in the night and the morning. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 65 

Tlie President tliouglit that forbidding trade 

Witli any foreign nations 
Might force tlie repeal of the laws the}' had made, 

Not thinking of the terminations. 
So an act was passed, in ^vords most short, 

AVhich stated that from a certain date 
No vessel shonld leave an American port 

To trade with a foreign state. 



It destroyed the American commerce the more 

In keeping others from coming in ; 
AVhile ships could not leave the American shore, 

England rejoiced in the interim. 
This act w^as called the " Terrapin Policy,''' 

For it was like a terrapin drawing its head 
Into its shell when nneasy, 

Not daring to fight instead. 



The Americans snffered greatly indeed 

From the passing of that poor act ; 
Their commerce, of which they were in great need, 

Was mined, and sad was that fact. 



66 HISTORY OF THE UXITED STATES. 

In tlie year One Thousand Eiglit Hundred and Nine, 
After fourteen long months' duration, 

The act was repealed, iDut at that very time 
Other troubles disturbed the poor nation. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 67 



CHAPTER XIY. 



SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND. 



James Madison, in Eigliteen Hundred and Eight, 

Fourtli President was elected ; 
And tliree years later, the slumbering hate 

Against England was resurrected. 
An Indian war broke out again, 

And everywhere it was told 
That secretly siding with the red-faced men 

Were the English again as of old. 

The Indians were at that time controlled 

By Tecumseh, the great Shawnee chief, 
Whose brother, 'twas said, a prophet old, 

Could foretell success or grief. 
General Harrison fought, at Tippecanoe, 

A battle with these red men ; 
He drove them away, and they could not renew 

For some time their warfare aeain. 



68 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Eigliteen Huudred and l\velve, in tlie moiitli of Juue, 

Against England war ^vas declared ; 
And so preparations were made very soon, 

For Canada to enter, they dared. 
But tlie war was begun too hastily, 

And nothing but disaster they met. 
While the Englishmen, most carefully, 

Kept away from their enemy's net. 



Fort Mackinaw, an island small 

Between Lakes Michigan and Huron, 
Was captured then, before the call 

Of war Avarned the soldiers thereon. 
The hostile Indians, free from restraint. 

Were helping the Englishmen, 
Who accepted their help Avithout constraint, 

To fight the Americans again. 

General Hull, who to Canada had been sent 
To invade it by way of Detroit, 

Had become an old man, indifferent. 
And no longer brave nor adroit. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 69- 

When attacked by tlie English and Indians there, 

He surrendered his post and his trust, 
To the grief of his troops, and everywhere 

Excited inditj-nation and diso;ust. 



The start of this war was without success, 

For the officers were mostly old ; 
The soldiers were often in great distress 

For the want of a leader bold. 
And the countiy from ruin Avas only saved 

By the triumphs of its navy, 
Which, ;?niall as it A\'as, Avith courage behaved, 

And beat the Englishmen bravely. 



The Eno;lish frig-ate " Guerriere " fouo-ht 

The American " Constitution ; " 
The capture of this, the Americans thought 

To their triumphs a contribution. 
And shortly after, the sloop-of-war 

Called the " Wasp " gained victory o'er the " Frolic." 
The success of the American navy, so far, 

Caused delight throughout the Republic. 



70 HISTORY OF THE UXITED STATES. 

Two more men-of-war tlie Americans cauglit 

Before tlie end of tlie year ; 
And, though the English courageously fought, 

They were filled with wonder and fear. 
The two ships they lost were fine ones indeed, 

Their names " Macedonia " and " Java ; " 
The American ships which had done the deetl 

Were " United States " and " Constitution." 



More victories they won, but here and there 

Was a failure, but American })rowess 
Excited admiration from everywhere 

For their sailors courageous and dauntless. 
The adventurous character of American life 

Had developed a spirit of braving 
Almost any danger, in this naval strife, 

With courage undaunted and daring. 

The ship " Chesapeake " was losing though 
To the English " Shannon " in fighting ; 

Captain Lawrence, wounded, when carried below 
Said, as his eyes once more were brightening : 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 71 

" Don't give up tlie sliip ! " These words became 

A battle cry in tlie navy ; 
And Perry linug up for liis signal the same 

In tlie battle fouolit on Lake Erie. 



That battle was fought ^vith bravery. 

Commodore Perry, knowing no fear, 
Wlien his ship was disabled by the enemy, 

Entered another small Ijoat that was neai', 
And sailing do^vn through the British line, 

He forced them soon to surrender ; 
And, after a hard and fatiguing time, 

Of their fleet he was the commander. 



Though inferior in strength, the Americans gained 

In the naval fight with their enemy. 
All the exploits to mention, and the dangers braved, 

Would make this story too lengthy. 
But they gained it with honor, brave fighters they Avere, 

Exciting great admiration 
From their numerous friends, who had taken a share 

In the fight of tliat young, free nation. 



72 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Aud mean w bile on land tlie fio-litino: went on 

'Gainst Eno;lisli and Indians too;etlier : 
And sometimes tliey lost, and sometimes they won, 

But often ei' tlie latter, liowever. 
The loss of a battle was often the fault 

Of an old, incompetent leader, 
Whose strength was not equal to his foes' assault 

Caring little for his country either. 



General AVinchester, also a veteran. 

Was appointed to succeed General Hull. 
But the Kentuckians preferred to him Harrison, 

A leader 1)y no means dull. 
He was the hero of Tippecanoe, 

Under him they were willing to serve ; 
He ^v"as a brave, strong man, and a clever one, too, 

Who from his duty never would swerve. 

And Winchester, commanding a little army, 

Met defeat on the river Raisin ; 
He surrendered his troops without much parley 

To Proctor, a man of no feeling. 



HISTORY OF TEE UNITED STATES. 73 

The wounded Americans on that day of shame 

Were massacred by the Indians, 
And the war-cry of the West became, 

" Eemember the river Raisin." 



One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fourteen, in spring, 

The inhuman General Proctor 
And Tecumseh the chief were endeavoring, 

A¥ith his Indians, Fort Meigs to capture ; 
But Harrison, A\'ith his soldiers, contrived 

To thwart to what he aspired. 
And when reenforcements, after some time, arrived, 

Proctor gave up in disgust and retired. 



The victory of Perry on Lake Erie 

Helped Harrison in pursuing 
His enemy Proctor and his ally, 

And a battle was soon ensuing. 
Tecumseh was killed, and Proctor, afraid 

Of the Americans victorious and angry. 
Ran away in a carriage, for he had made 

Himself detested all over the country. 



74 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

After many more battles of varied success, 

The English were finally beaten. 
The Americans triumphed o'er war's wretchedness, 

Which the news of peace could scarce sweeten. 
And still it was hailed with the greatest delight, 

And never again on the ocean, 
AVere their ships stopped and searched, and their men made 
to fight 

In the wars of a foreign nation. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 75 



CHAPTER XV. 

MOISTROE TO VAIS^ BUREN". 

The Republic expanded under Monroe, 

Who had as a soldier dealt many a blo^v. 

He was chosen fifth President, in Eighteen-Sixteen, 

A man of good temper and insight so keen. 

He was very well liked, and of him it is told 
That for eight long years his administration was called 
" The a2:e of o-ood feelino-," and when four years had o-oue, 
He was once more elected, with opposition from none. 

He resigned his command, in the year Twenty-Five, 
To John Quincy Adams, a man full of life, 
And honest and faithful, but distant and cold. 
Who made but few friends though he grew very old. 

In Eighteen Hundred and Twenty-Eight, 
Andrew Jackson, after a short debate, 
AVas made seventh President, and without fears 
Held his office with honor for a term of eight years. 



76 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

He was self-willed and hasty, tliougli honest and true ; 
He turned out of office, with little ado, 
Any one who opposed him, and it is said 
He appointed a friend of his own instead. 

Martin Van Buren, in Thirty-Six, 

Followed Jackson's strange politics. 

Though in a gentler way; but in Eighteen-Forty, 

Was not reelected by the former party. 



HISTORY OF THE U^UTED STATES. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



IIS^VEIS^TIOJSrS. 



Iisr Eigliteen Himdred, tliere began a great cliange 
In tlie modes of travel wliicli to us now seem strange 
On horseback, men rode day after day, 
To complete a sliort journey, as now we would say. 



They rode in poor wagons o'er rough and poor roads, 
And pack-horses were used to carry great loads ; 
In the rivers, the boats which plied up and down 
Carried freight and passengers from town to town. 



Robert Fulton, an American, without any guide, 
Built the first steamboat, which every one eyed 
With great admiration, and she plied between 
New York and Albany on the Hudson stream. 



78 HISTORY OF TEE UXITED STATES. 

And now tliey connected, for tlieii- country's sake, 
With the Hudson River, a beautiful lake ; 
The gi*eat canal running to Lake Erie 
Was the fii-st one made in this wide country. 

But the greatest change of all was made 
In the railroad, improving greatly the trade : 
It came fi'om England. Init at lirst the cars 
Were di'awn by hoi'ses across ii'on bars. 

The Electric Telegraph, a concej)tion gi'and, 
Was the invention of an American man, 
S. F. B. Morse is the woi'ld-renowned name 
Of the one who here lirst introduced the same. 

The wondei'ful Phonograph and Telephone 
Were invented by T. Alva Edison, 
Another American, who worked night and day 
To overcome the difficulties in his way. 

Long before Eighteen Hundred, Benjamin Franklin again 
Invented the Lightning Rod, and when 
Lio^htnino^ flashes and the thunder roai^s, 
None need be fi-iorhtened behind his doors. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 79 

And tlioiigli the country is larger to-day, 
Intelligence moves quicker than formerly ; 
Electricity and Steam have seen a great change, 
And there ^^411 yet come something more stransre. 



80 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In Eighteen-Forty tlie people elected 
Harrison President, tliongli no one expected 
That one niontli later lie Avonld be dead ; 
It created great sorrow wlien the news was read. 

John Tyler, the Vice-President, did succeed ; 

He served his term with small houors indeed. 

His administration was passed in dissension and strife 

With the party electing him, which Avas not right. 

James Polk, not mentioned here before, 
Became President in Forty-Four ; 
And durino; his term a wai' Avas fou2:ht 
Which to this poor country only misery brought. 

In Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Five 
Texas was admitted, after some strife, 
Into the Union, and her laws were made 
For the keeping of slaves for the planters' aid. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 81 

Mexico, to which Texas had ouce belonged, 
Felt herself injured and also wronged ; 
And other grounds for quarrels there were. 
For Americans had been robbed out there. 

The United States supported the claim. 
The boundary a river, Rio Grande by name ; 
AVhile the Mexicans would not allow them more 
Than that of the Nueces River shore. 

In Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Six, 

General Taylor occupied these disputed districts. 

The Mexicans soon attacked his men, 

And in this way the war began. , 

With a force much iuferioi', brave Taylor fought, 
Winning the battle of " Palo Alto," and brought 
Defeat to the Mexicans, and also disgrace. 
At " Resaca de la Palma," a fortified place. 

On the twenty -fourth day of the month of September 
Monterey city was forced to surrender ; 
It was defended by ten thousand strong. 
But these were defeated before very long. 

6 



82 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Taylor would go further inland, but 
Received orders to help brave General Scott, 
Who was about to command a new campaign, 
At a place on tlie coast, " Vera Cruz " by name. 

Thus weakened, General Taylor took 
A position at " Buena Vista " (good outlook). 
He was attacked by twenty thousand men, 
But defeated them all after hard fighting again. 

The Mexicans, though losing, were unwilling to cease 
Their hostilities, and refused offers of peace. 
But the Americans were eager for much more land, 
And the Union very soon began to expand. 

In August, Forty-Six, with little ado, 
New Mexico and Upper California, too, 
Were surrendering to the United States 
Their countries, after some short debates. 

In Northern Mexico the position was grave, 
For the victories of General Taylor the" brave 
Only wounded the pride of the enemy there, 
But did not subdue them everywhere. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 83 

So it was resolved to laud some troops 
At tlie place once mentioned, Vera Cruz. 
It was tlie idea in taking that place 
To force tlie Mexicans to beg for grace. 

General Scott was now the Commander-in-Chief, 
And took charge of the troops, with the strongest belief, 
That soon he'd be able, with an army so true, 
To besiege the city and capture it, too. 

On the ninth of March he landed there, 
And besieged it immediately everywhere. 
The city surrendered, and he entered the same. 
While the Mexicans shouted with auger and shame. 

Marching to the interior. General Scott 

Found Santa Anna at a fortified spot ; 

And a battle was fought at " Cerro Gordo," 

The Mexicans were whipped 'mid a great deal of woe. 

Arrived in the region of the capital, 
Scott fought as a great strong general ; 
On August the twentieth, while on his way. 
He won two battles in one hot day. 



84 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

And again the Mexicans suffered defeat 
At " Molino del Rey," and had to retreat. 
On September thirteenth the American men 
Carried the fortress " Chapultepec " then. 

At the same time, the City of Mexico 

Was attacked, and had soon to submit to its foe ; 

And soon this place, well fortified, 

By Scott and his army was then occupied. 

February, One Thousand and Forty-Eight, 
A peace was signed, though very late. 
For the Mexicans were proud and very loth 
To sign a treaty with their enemy wroth. 

And when the war at last expired. 
The land from Mexico thus acquired 
Was larger than the States, by far, 
At the close of the Revolutionary war. 

Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, 
Part of California, Texas, Nevada, 
All were included in the United States, 
After fighting and war and long debates. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 85 

People Lave always differeutly tliouglit 
About ^^'llv this Mexican war was fono-lit. 
It cost tlie lives of tlioiisauds of men, 
And brought misery to many homes again. 

But war ao;ain Avas soon to send 
More sorrow to this most beautiful land. 
The North and the South, at peace thus far, 
Were soon engaged in a horrible war. 

In Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Eight, 

The hero of many battles of late, 

Zachary Taylor, the General bold, 

Was made twelfth President, though rather old. 

He had served of his term just one-third. 
When something very sad occurred. 
General Taylor died, a soldier tine, 
And succeeded by Fillmore, at that time. 

Now while the country thus was sad, 

An event took place which was not bad : 

In California much gold was found, 

And many there were who rejoiced at its sound. 



86 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

A great rusli of people to tliis place set iu, 
And many a one left his home and his kin ; 
They sailed, not minding the cold or the storm, 
To the land of the gold, around Cape Horn. 

And many a one was robbed and slain, 
And never returned to his home again ; 
From excitement and fear, a great many died, 
But many grew rich and were so satisfied. 

Meanwhile the slavery question arose, 
For the North had offered a shelter to those 
Of the slaves who had been running away 
From their masters' hard work and cruelty. 

The Southern States complained of this. 
And found it very much amiss. 
Demanding, \vithout alternative, 
The return of every fugitive. 

At that time a book created sensation 
In the homes of many of this great nation. 
" Uncle Tom's Cabin " was the name of it. 
And to runaway slaves it brought some benefit. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 81 

It was written to excite some sympathy 
For slaves, and tlieir life of drudgery. 
Aud the sale of the book was said to be sure 
The greatest in the history of literature. 

The South was equally discontent, 

For it soon became quite evident 

That the feeling of anger and hate between 

The North and the South grew very keen. 

In Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-Two, 
Frank Pierce of Hampshire, a brave man too, 
Became President of this Union so fair, 
And served his term with an honest care. 

Buchanan, in Fifty-Six, was elected 
Fiftee'nth President of the Republic respected. 
And during his term, the slave agitation 
Was the topic of every one's conversation. 

The excitement over this subject had 
Divided the country into two parties mad 
At each other's deeds, and it was clear 
That a horrible war was indeed very near. 



88 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

At tliat wild, agitated time, 
John Brown, in Eighteen Fifty-Nine, 
Seized the armory at Harper's Ferry, 
To free the slaves from their misery. 

But as he had but eighteen men, 

He was soon overcome and beaten again. 

He Avas court-martialled and hung, but it did great harm, 

For it spread through the South the greatest alarm. 

The year Eighteen Hundred and Sixty came. 
And Abraham Lincoln, unhappy man, 
Was elected to the government 
Of the United States as its President. 

And now we have come to the point, at last, 

When the unhappy country was overcast 

By the clouds of a long and terril^le war 

Between the North and the South, having been friends thus far. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 89 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE CIVIL WAR. 



The Nortli and the South for quite some time had 

Ou a great many points disagreed ; 
To break up the Union seemed indeed very sad, 

Though the South contemplated the deed. 
In South Carolina and rich Florida, 

There were held long and bitter debates, 
As in Georgia, Texas, and Alabama, 

About dissolving the Union of States. 

'Twas indeed very sad, this kind of life, 

And many ones far in the North 
Sympathized with the South, but discontentment and strife 

Were coming from everywhere forth. 
By a compromise, some people thought they could shield 

The South, but the time had gone by. 
And in deadly strife on the battlefield. 

The dispute to settle they'd try. 



90 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

In startling confusion was now eveiytliing. 

In Sixty-One, tliat awful winter, 
A most terrible storm was brewing, 

Tlie force of wliicli none could hinder. 
The President did not believe it was risrht 

For the Union to be so divided, 
As he foresaw the fearful and bloody strife 

Were the South from seceding prevented. 



A convention was held, on the fourth of February, 

Of all the seceded States ; 
Kepresentatives met at Montgomery, 

And proceeded at once, after short debates, 
To form an entire new government, 

Which they named the " Confederation." 
Jeiferson Davis was made President, 

A man of good education. 



On the fourth day of March in the year Sixty- One, 

Lincoln was inaugurated. 
And orders to strengthen the garrison 

At Fort Sumter were now awaited. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 91 

But the sliips by a storm were detained outside, 

And the Coufederates opened a fire, 
To which Fort Sumter straightway replied, 

And great was their mutual ire. 



For thirty-six hours they bombarded thus, 

Setting fire to the wood of the fort ; 
And after that time they began to discuss 

Terms of peace which were quite short. 
Major Anderson agreed to evacuate. 

For his provisions were nearly gone, 
But it was the wile of a curious fate 

That to no one was any harm done. 



But it made quite a change, and it was so to be 

That most every doubt had ceased on each side ; 
Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, 

And Arkansas were forced to decide 
To which party they were to join henceforth, 

So they chose the Confederation ; 
On the other hand, the men from the North 

Were of one mind throughout the nation. 



92 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

All were now wild with excitement ; 

Small quarrels were too forgotten so far 
That it was not for Congress nor President 

To decide for peace or for war. 
The war burst forth without I'estraint 

From the pent-up feelings of the Nation ; 
And to an entreaty from the President, 

A hundred thousand enlisted with animation. 



Trains loaded with brave volunteers began 

To move towards, and rapidly enter, 
The beautiful city of AVashington, 

AVhich was of the North then the centre. 
But the South's enthusiasm was equally strong, 

As thousands of men had entered the army. 
The great Civil War had now burst upon 

The country, in its terrible fury. 

The Southerners were truly more military 

Than the Northern Americans, 
For a life in the saddle they led naturally 

On their plantations of large expanse. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 93 

Many Northerners liacl first to learn 

How to load and fire off a gun, 
When they had already gone to earn 

Their laurels in the war begun. 



But again the North had advantages great, 

Like money for purchasing arms, 
And ships, and clothing, to accommodate 

The men who came in swarms. 
The advantage in number which the North thus had 

Helped them on, as they had found ; 
But the South had another advantage to add — 

The defence of her own homes and ground. 



The sympathy in the border States 

Was indeed very much divided ; 
But the coming of soldiers at such great rates 

Had very quickly decided, 
And prevented Kentucky and Maryland 

And Missouri from seceding ; 
West Virginia, on the other hand. 

Old Virginia no longer was heeding. 



94 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The failure the borderland to secure 

AVas a loss to the South indeed, 
For this was the land wherewith to insure 

Plenty of corn the armies to feed. 
And the large, fine rivers she also lost, 

The Ohio and the Potomac. 
This line of defense from which they hoped most 

Favored the North in her later attack. 



The war began with some battles small, 

The seizure of navy yards and ports ; 
A few skirmishes in some parts was all. 

And the taking of minor forts. 
The Southerners at the beginning of war. 

From Montgomery in Alabama, 
Had moved their capital regular 

To Richmond in Yiro-inia. 



Beginning in July, Sixty-One, 

General McDowell moved towards this city. 
And a battle was fought at a place called " Bull Run," 

Where the soldiers felt neither fear nor pity. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 95 

Generals Joliuston aud Beauregard 

The Soutlieni army were leading ; 
The Northern soldiers were soon driven far 

From the field, and were quickly receding. 



The next movement, and one of the best, 

After '' Bull Run," was the campaign 
That l^roke the Confederate line at the West, 

And gave the Mississippi main, 
Above Vicksburg, to the sole control 

Of the Federal Government ; 
And a good strong leader, esteemed by all. 

Came forward, Ulysses S. Grant. 

In cooperation with Commodore Foote, 

Grant moved against Fort Henry, 
And both these generals, to the country's boot, 

Took it in February, l^ravely. 
After some time they took Fort Donelson, 

After a l^attle stubborn and long, 
The Union lost twenty-three thousand men. 

But made fifteen thousand prisoners strong. 



96 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

General Pope took Island Number Ten 

From tlie Confederates, after liard figliting, 
And made seven thousand prisoners tlien, 

Wliich caused a deal of rejoicing. 
The object in taking tliis militant 

Station was to control the Mississippi, 
For the same purpose the force under Grant 

Pushed up the Tennessee. 



The Union army under General Grant, 

Near Corinth, at Pittsburg Landing, 
Had gathered together their forces not scant. 

And a battle they were demanding. 
April sixth, Eighteen Sixty-Two, 

On a peaceful Sunday morning, 
Began the fearful battle of "Shiloh," 

And the soldiers all fear were scorning. 

Johnston made such a furious attack 
On the soldiers of General Grant, • 

That they were surprised and driven back 
By these Southerners militant. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 97 

But Albert Sidney Johnston was 

On tliat morning killed ; 
And many mourned for dear ones, 

As a great deal of blood was spilled. 



The second day's fighting was also severe, 

And the Confederates, under Beauregard, 
Retired from battle with feelings of fear ; 

'Twas the first great battle of this war. 
The Northerners moved toAvards Corinth again. 

And captured it after some time. 
They made a good many prisoners then 

And broke the Confederates' line. 



General Scott, who was Commander-in-Chief 

Of the Union armies then, 
Was old and infirm, and to his relief. 

Retired, a brave old man. 
McClellan, ^vho had showed capacity, 

Was called forward to command 
The forces which in front of Washington lay ; 

He had drilled them with a fii-m, strong hand. 



98 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

McClellan took tliem to Fort Monroe, 

And, after considerable work, 
To Richmond lie intended to o;o. 

Between tlie rivers James and York, 
The land forms a peninsula, 

From which was given the name, 
" Peninsula Campaign," in Virginia, 

Where McClellan lost some of his fame. 



The Confederates forced him a month to stay. 

In besieging poor Yorktown. 
His enemy surrendered on tlie fifth of May, 

And McClellan regained some renown. 
The Confederates retired ; but McClellan thought 

To pursue them, and at AVilliamsburg, 
Though tired the men, a battle was fought, 

Where the Union men ^vou the day's work. 

Thomas J. Jackson, a Confederate bold, 
Who received the nickname " Stonewall " 

In the battle of " Bull Run," as it is told, 
Made a success of manoeuvres small. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 99 

Confusing the Union troops very raucli ; 

And McDowell, wlio liad consented 
To join McClellan, wlio wislied very mucli 

His aid, was tlius prevented. 



Josepli E. Johnston, the Confederate, fought 

The battle of "Fair Oaks " bravely, 
Which to his hard-fighting soldiers brought 

Success o'er McClellan's army. 
But Johnston, being wounded sorely, 

AVas relieved by Robert E. Lee, 
"Who from Virginia came suddenly, 

His successor for a time to be. 



McClellan withdrew to the river James, 

Fighting daily as history tells us, 
And to the list of curious names 

Was added the " Battle of the Seven Days." 
But McClellan fell slowly but carefully back, 

AVithout losing too many men. 
Before Lee's courageous and furious attack. 

Who tried to beat him ao-ain. 



100 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Pope's luck at Island Number Ten 

Had given liim great reputation. 
He was put in command of the army, wlien 

After a careful consideration, 
McClellan was relieved ; but also Pope 

Was not equal to Jolmston and Lee, 
Who on old Bull Run battlefield cut short his hope, 

And the end no one could foresee. 



McClellan, in spite of ill luck, again 

Of the army was put in command. 
But Lee, with a body of Southern men, 

Took Harper's Ferry on Potomac strand. 
McClellan and Lee a Ijattle fought, 

Sixteenth and seventeenth of September, 
At Antietam, Maryland, where each one sought 

To make the other surrender. 



On the eighteenth, which was the following day, 
Lee withdrew 'cross Potomac in time ; 

McClellan followed but slowly his way, 
Again making the Bappahannock his line. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 101 

Four days later the President 

Announced, if any portion of tlie country 

Should remain in arms 'gainst the Government, 
He would free the slaves of that party. 



McClellan had lost the North's confidence, and 

His superiors removed him again. 
General Burnside was given the command 

Of this unlucky army of men. 
But Burnside, too rash, a battle sought, 

And at Fredericksburg he greeted 
His enemy with shots, and though bravely he fought, 

Thirteenth of December, was there defeated. 



On the first of January, Sixty-Three, 

Lincoln issued a proclamation. 
Which declared the slaves in all States free, 

Yet in arms against the Northern nation. 
And many negroes entered then 

The Union army to fight 
Against the South, and a battle won 

Excited their wildest delig^ht. 



102 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Burnside was relieved, and Hooker tried 

To conmiand the unliappy army ; 
But only for a sliort time he satisfied 

The hopes put in him so warmly. 
He could not fight against Jackson and Lee ; 

At the Chancellorsville campaign, 
On the sixth of May, was defeated, and he 

Had to cross the Rappahannock again. 



Hooker was relieved, and George G. Meade 

Took his place, and did not shirk 
His duty as a soldier, and proved it indeed 

At the battle of Gettysburg. 
Sixty-Three, July first, on a very hot day, 

The two great armies met. 
And by fear and great anxiety 

Were the North and the South beset. 



The courage of the soldiers on either side 
Mounted to a marvelous degree. 

But though the Unionists had a good guide. 
The Confederates under Lee, 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 103 

On the second day, after a hard long iiglit, 

Carried works on eacli side of the line 
Of the Unionists, but again in the night 

They lost them, thongh soldiers prime. 



The third day the Confederates made an assanlt, 

And broke throngh the Union centre ; 
But they had not only come to a halt, 

But were driven back, no more to enter 
Again in the Union army's ground ; 

Lee rested a day, and retreated ; 
For though a great general, to his sorrow he found 

That at last he had been defeated. 



He had lost about one-third of his men. 

And Meade more than a fourth of his own ; 
After couiitiog the brave, tired soldiers again, 

A fearful loss was shown. 
More than forty-eight thousand were killed or maimed 

Or captured in the battle fought bravely 
Between the armies, where each one had aimed 

To fight or to die for his country. 



104 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



NAVAL BATTLES. 



A FAMOUS naval battle was fouo-bt 

lu the waters of " Hampton Roads," 
Near Fortress Monroe, wliere McClellan liad thought 

To start over rough long roads. 

The Confederates, in Norfolk Navy Yard, 

Had seized the " Merriniac,'' 
And changed her name to "Virginia," 

And prepared her for naval attack. 

With iron plates she was covered, and 

On the eighth of March, Sixty-Two, 
Fought a sloop-of-war named " Cumberland," 

And sank her with little ado. 

The iron monster " Merrimac " 

Next fought the poor " Congress," 
A pretty frigate, but alack ! 

She was burned nevertheless. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 105 

Tlie frigate " Minnesota " came 

To figlit, but it was found 
That her fate would be just the same, 

For soon she was aground. 

The "Merrimac," it was believed, 

Would try yet more mischief ; 
What she had already achieved 

Filled every one with grief. 

But from New York, at midnight, came 

An iron vessel small; 
The " Monitor " was her good name, 

Looked wonderiugly at by all. 

The " Monitor " successfully 

The " Merrimac " prevented 
From doing harm, and ruefully 

To retire she consented. 

John Ericsson, a clever man. 

Had built the " Monitor," 
Which made indeed a change again 

In any naval war. 



106 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Captain Farragut, by clever means, 

And niucli of naval skill, 
Attacked tlie forts by New Orleans, 

In Sixty-Two and the montk of April. 

The Confederates, fighting valiantly. 
Surrendered after some time. 

To Farragut's skill and bravery, 
In this battle maritime. 

The day after the battle of Gettysburg, 

General U. S. Grant, 
After a long, severe battle, carried the works 

Of Vicksburg, so militant. 

Port Hudson could no longer shield 

And defend its inhabitants, 
But soon gave up ; it had to yield 

To the Union General Banks. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 107 



CHAPTER XX. 

BATTLES BETWEEN NASHVILLE AND ATLANTA. 

On the last day of Eighteen Sixty-Two, 

A winter s day most cold, 
Took place the battle of " Murf reesborough," 

Under Rosecrans, a leader bold. 
He had taken command of the Union men, 

And Bras'Sf of the Southerners, who 
Were fighting with desperate courage, and when 

Xight came, won some fighting ground too. 

The next day, the first of Sixty-Three, 

Neither army could make an attack ; 
On the third, the Confederates valiantly 

Drove part of the Unionists back. 
And though they bravely held their ground, 

The Southerners at last retreated 
From Rosecrans victorious, but each side found 

Nine thousand in killed and defeated. 



108 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

At CHckamauga, Rosecrans fouglit 

On tlie nineteentli and twentietli of September, 
In Sixty-Tliree ; eacli army soiiglit 

To make tlie otlier surrender. 
Tlie first day tlie Northern army men 

Took a favorable position, 
But tlie Southerners drove them away again, 

And secured some ammunition. 



But General Thomas, a leader bold. 

Prevented utter rout 
Of the Union army, as it is told, 

By his courage and coolness stout. 
He kept the Confederate charges back. 

And enabled Rosecrans to prepare 
Chattanooga, in case of sudden attack 

By the Southerners, with a great deal of care. 

Grant, who had gained great reputation 
By his famous Vicksburg campaign, 

Relieved, after some consideration, 
Rosecrans of his army of men. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 109 

And tlie " Eock of Cliickamauga," 

As General Thomas was called, 
Took Ms place at Chattanooga, 

Next to General Grant the bold. 



" Missionary Ridge " and " Lookout Mountain " 

Were held by Bragg's army ; 
And Hooker, almost certain 

Of success, fought up his way. 
The valley was wrapped in misty shrouds, 

Whilst he carried that place with glee ; 
'Twas called the " Battle above the Clouds," 

November twenty -fifth, Sixty -Three. 

'' Missionary Ridge," defended so bravely 

By Hardee so militant. 
Was attacked by Thomas courageously, 

Who wixs sent by General Grant. 
The bravery on each side was sublime. 

But the Unionists carried the day ; 
The Southerners were beaten after some time, 

Pursued by some shots on their way. 



110 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

General Grrant now took tlie sole command 

Of tlie Union army, and gave 
To another general in tlie land 

Tlie lead of the Westerners brave. 
And Grant went on to Washington 

To command the army there, 
While Sherman tried to lure Johnston 

Into battle with greatest care. 



But Joseph E. Johnston was a man of will, 

And retreated from Sherman with ease. 
With a great deal of prudence and soldierly skill 

Tried his hardships to increase. 
And Sherman, angry, attacked him at length 

At a place called " Kenesaw Mountain ; " 
But the Confederates fought with a great deal of strength, 

And the Unionists were repulsed and beaten. 

The Confederate Government, dissatisfied 

With Johnston's careful retreat, 
Bemoved him, and in his place was tried 

General Hood, who liked not defeat. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Ill 

But Slierman at last, witli a good many men, 

Came soiitli of Atlanta, where 
He compelled General Hood to retire again 

Or be shut up mtli his men in there. 



112 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

BATTLES IN THE WILDEKNESS AND AT PETEESBUEG. 

Meanwhile General Grant went on with Meade 

From Washington towards Richmond ; 
They moved with precaution, but also with speed, 

And met Lee halfway beyond ; 
In a region called '■' The Wilderness," 

The two great armies fought, 
Each for their country, and hoped for success, 

And counted their lives for naught. 

For sixteen days the fighting went on. 

And at night they had to keep 
A careful watch around, so none 

Dared really fall asleep. 
The Unionists lost in that " Wilderness " 

Near thirty-eight thousand men ; 
Lee's losses, though great, were very much less — 

So the fight was renewed again. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 113 

Fighting and moving eastward they 

Came nearer to Richmond, when 
In Sixty-Four, the second day 

Of June, with a troop of his men, 
Grant attacked the works alono- the line 

Of Cokl Harbor, but was defeated. 
With a h^ss of six thousand men, in a time 

Of one hour hardly completed. 

Eleven days later, Grant's brave army 

Crossed the river James to try 
To capture Petersburg, and in that way 

Cut off one source of supply 
For Richmond. But the Union men 

Were not successful ; and more, 
A siege which lasted nine months began, 

And ended near the close of the war. 



114 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE BATTLES IN THE VALLEY. 

Iisr tte fertile valley of Virginia far, 
During the years of that fearful war, 
Was carried on a smaller campaign, 
With a terrible number of maimed and slain. 

General Breckenridge, the Confederate, 
Defeated General Sigel at Xew Market, 
In Sixty-Four, the sixteenth day 
Of the warm and beautiful month of May. 

But General Hunter, a Union man, 
Beat General Imboden at Piedmont again. 
And then, ^vith the utmost and greatest speed, 
Kushed for Lynchburg, of importance indeed. 

This place was strengthened in time to save 
The life of many a soldier brave ; ' 
But Hunter's retreat down the fertile valley 
Was cut off for his poor and starving army. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 115 

The General saved liis liuDgry men 
By retreating another way again 
Into the valley of Kanawha, 
Far away from that of Virginia. 

This valley, now open to General Early, 
Saw an army come to Harper's Ferry ; 
He defeated a small force on the seventh day 
Of July, under Wallace, at Mouocacy. 

Early wanted to capture Washington ; 
But part of Grant's army moved thei'eupon 
Into the works, and a fight began, 
From which he quickly withdrew again. 

He tried several times to make an attack 
On the Union troops, but was driven back 
Into Virginia, with varying success ; 
But his cavalry was beaten, nevertheless. 

General Sheridan now took the sole command 
Of the Union troops in this part of the land ; 
He ^vas courageous and wary, but none the less 
Would he risk fighting Early without success. 



116 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The battle of " AVincliester," or " Opequan," 
Ou the nineteentli of September, was fouglit and won 
By Sheridan, who, three days later, with skill 
Attacked Early in his trenches at Fisher's Hill. 

Sheridan won, though Early fought 
Very hard ; but great destruction was wrought, 
For Sheridan burned all the barns filled with grain, 
Preventing the Confederates from returning again. 

But when Sheridan toward Potomac went back, 
Early silently followed on his track 
Through this land of starvation, with part of his troops, 
AVhich he separated in different smaller groups. 

When Early to Sheridan's army came near. 
He told his soldiers to leave with the rear 
Their swords and canteens, and all that might 
Make a noise in the quiet, silent night. 

Along a lonely path they crept, 
And soon surrounded the men who slept ; 
At the same time Early, with part of his men, 
Attacked Sheridan's army with courage again. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 117 

So began tlie battle of '' Cedar Creek ; " 

Tlie Confederates fouglit well, thougli many were weak ; 

They drove tlie Union troops fonr miles away, 

And made many prisoners in tkat affray. 

Bnt Sheridan, though surprised, was very bold, 
And to his fleeing soldiers he loudly called : 
" Come, boys ! come, boys ! we are going back ! " 
So he turned the tide of this sudden attack. 

By night General Early with his men retreated 
From the battlefield slowly, once more defeated. 
A few small fights ended this campaign, 
For the troops were needed elsewhere again. 



118 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



END OF THE CIVIL WAR. 



When Slierman had captured Atlanta, and 

Had forced General Hood to retreat, 
He had to do with a bohl, strons; man 

Very angry at his defeat. 
He tried to force Sherman to turn and fall 

Back into Tennessee again. 
By going to his rear and cutting oif all 

His supplies from the North for his men. 

But Sherman was clever, and left the command 

Of his brave troops in Tennessee 
To General Thomas, courageous and grand, 

Though not such a great one as Lee. 
And Sherman, meanwhile^ with a small ai'my, 

Set out for Atlanta, to go • . 

Through the heart of the land of his enemy, 

For he was in no way afraid of his foe. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 119 

Hood followed not Sherman, but tried to fight 

Part of Thomas's troops in Tennessee ; 
But General Schofield fought ^vell, despite 

The Confederates' wild charges ; and he 
Succeeded in keeping Hood's army bach, 

Defending the works at Franklin, until 
He crossed the Harpeth without much attack, 

Joining Thomas with his troops at Nashville. 



Hood with his army soon followed him there. 

On the fifteenth of November he was 
Attacked by a great many soldiers out there, 

Under the lead of General Thomas. 
A two days' battle followed, when 

General Hood met with utter defeat, 
And from this blow his brave fighting men 

Could not recover, but had to retreat. 

AVhile Hood and Thom'as were fighting so much, 
Sherman marched through the Confedei-acy ; 

His soldiers consuming supplies, and such 
Would have sustained Lee's army. 



120 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Before tlie battle of " Nashville " was fought, 
Sherman laid siege to Savannah ; and on 

December twentieth the Southerners thought 
To evacuate, for Sherman had won. 



Wilmino-ton and Fort Fisher were taken 

On January fifteenth, Sixty-Five, 
By the Unionists, which did awaken 

New hopes for the North to survive. 
Schofield, with part of Thomas's army, 

Went to Goldsborough, North Carolina, 
To meet Sherman, who was coming that way, 

For he was leaving the city Savannah. 

He moved northward through large swamps, and in rain, 

And Columbia was taken and burned down. 
Tis said by accident, for Sherman's men 

Had no orders to destroy the town. 
Brave Sherman met at Averysborough 

General Johnston, who suffered defeat ; 
But he forced, on the ninth of March, his foe 

At Bentonville to retreat. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 121 

But the Southerners, who had suffered much 

And fought bravely, began to despair. 
Even Lee, great general, who had been such 

A great fighter, retreated with care ; 
But at Five Forks, on the first of April, 

Lee with his men was beaten and routed ; 
And Avhile this sharp battle was raging still, 

From Petersburg was victory shouted. 



On the second of April, in Sixty-Five, 

Lee retreated from Richmond at night; 
He made for Danville, but could not arrive 

At that place, for he would have to fight. 
He turned to Lynchburg, but Sheridan again 

That general's march interrupted ; 
On the ninth of April Lee surrendered his men 

To General Grant, whose terms he accepted. 



The terrible war was ended at last. 

And sweet peace seemed very inviting ; 

No war had ever been seen so vast, 
No braver men had ever been fighting. 



122 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Tlie soldiers went home, and great was their fame. 

But thousands of sorrowing women 
Never saw their beloved ones return again : 

They had died for the good of the Union. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 123 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



DEATH OF ABllAHAM LINCOLN. 



A FEW days after the making of peace, 

Lincoln, with his family, was sitting 
In a box at the theatre, his heart at ease, 

And kind thoughts through his mind were flitting ; 
How to conciliate those opposed to him, 

For he was noble and kind-hearted — but 
The life of this man, much beloved, in a grim. 

Awful manner was suddenly cut. 

Whilst quietly sitting, enjoying the play. 
He saw not who approached him so near ; 

But a sudden loud shot, and the President lay 
In his blood, thus ending a noble career. 

'' Sic semper tyrannis," the murderer cried, 
" So always with tyrants ; " and then 

Leaped quickly upon the stage, and tried 
To escape the vengeance of men. 



124 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Lincoln died in Sixty-Five, 

Fifteentli of April, sad memory ! 
And so was ended the useful good life 

Of the abolisher of slavery. 
The murderer was caught, J. Wilkes Booth liy name. 

And was killed after some short fight, 
For he resisted arrest, and so foimd the same 

End to his life, which served him but right. 

Lincoln's death Avas lamented all over the land, 

Even the South sympathized most sincerely ; 
For his kind, good intentions were known there, and 

Many had loved and honored him dearly. 
He lies buried in Springfield, Illinois State ; 

His funeral honors surpassed all in splendor ; 
He had lived through hard times, a man good and great, 

Kemembered by all with feelings most tender. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 125 



CONCLUSION. 

Andrew Johnsoist, Lincoln's Vice-President, 

Ruled in his stead to the end of his term. 
But in Sixty-Eight the Government 

AVas given to Grant so firm ; 
And in Eighteen Hundred and Seventy -Two, 

He was President reelected 
By a large majority, for he was true. 

And everywhere much respected. 

In Seventy-Six, Butherford B. Hayes 

Was chosen to succeed President Griant, 
And many a thing might be said in his praise 

During the four years he ruled in the land. 
The year Eighteen Hundred and Eighty came, 

And James A. Garfield of Ohio was 
Made President ; but his end was the same 

As that of poor Lincoln, alas ! 



126 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

On tlie second of July in Eiglity-One, 

He was shot and mortally wounded, 
Dying eighty days after that bad deed done, 

By his friends and family surrounded. 
And Chester A. Arthur, the Vice-President, 

Followed Garfield so cruelly killed ; 
The murderer was tried, and the Government 

Had him hanged for the blood which he spilled. 



In Eighteen Hundred and Eighty-Four, 

Grover Cleveland Avas elected ; 
He had been Governor of New York l^efore, 

A man much esteemed and respected. 
In Eighteen Hundred and Eighty-Eight, 

Benjamin Harrison was to follow 
In the line of Presidents good and great. 

But he too had his share of sorrow. 



In Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-Two, 
Grover Cleveland was reelected. 

But the hardships the country has undergone, 
Could not all in this book be collected. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 127 

Civilization is spreading all over tlie land, 

Art and Science are on tlie increase. 
May tlie United States yet more expand, 

And flourisli in freedom and peace ! 



128 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



AMERICA; 



OE, 



MY COUNTEY, 'tis OF THEE. 

My country, 'tis of thee. 
Sweet land of liberty. 

Of thee I sing — 
Land where our fathers died. 
Land of the Pilgrim's pride. 
From every mountain's side. 

Let freedom ring. 



My native country, thee. 
Land of the noble free — 

Thy name I love. 
I love thy rocks and rills ; 
Thy woods and temj)led hills ; 
My heart with rapture thrills 

Like that above. 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 129 

Let music swell the breeze, 
And ring from all the trees 

Sweet freedom's song. 
Let mortal tongues awake, 
Let all that breathe partake. 
Let rocks their silence break — 

The sound prolong. 

Our fathers' God, to thee, I 

Author of liberty. 

To thee we sing. 
Long may our land be bright 
With freedom's holy light. 
Protect us by thy might, 

Great God, our King ! 

S. F. Smith. 



130 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



TABLE OF PRESIDENTS. 



1. 


George Washington. 


Inaugurated 1789. 


Served 8 


years. 






2. 


John Adams. 


1797. 


4 


" 






3. 


Thomas Jefferson. 


1801. 


8 


<( 






4. 


James Madison. 


1809. 


8 


" 






5. 


James Monroe. 


1817. 


8 


" 






6. 


John Quincy Adams. 


1825. 


4 


" 






7. 


Andrew Jackson. 


1829. 


8 


t( 






8. 


Martin Van Buren. 


1837. 


4 


" 






9. 


William H. Harrison. 


1841. 


«' 




1 


month. 


10. 


John Tyler. 


1841. 


3 


years, 


11 


months, 


11. 


James K. Polk. 


1845. 


4 


" 






12. 


Zachary Taylor. 


1849. 


1 


year, 


4 


months. 


13. 


Millard Fillmore. 


18.50. 


2 


years, 


8 


" 


14. 


Franklin Pierce. 


1853. 


4 


" 






15. 


James Buchanan. 


1857. 


4 


" 






16. 


Abraham Lincoln. 


1861. 


4 


" 


1^ 


months. 


17. 


Andrew Johnson. 


1865. 


3 


" 


lOi 


" 


18. 


Ulysses S. Grant. 


1869. 


8 


" 






19. 


Rutherford B. Hayes. 


1877. 


4 


" 






20. 


James A. Garfield. 


1881. 


'• 




5| 


months. 


21. 


Chester A. Arthur. 


1881. 


" . 3 


years, 


H 


" 


22. 


Grover Cleveland. 


1885. 


4 


" 






23. 


Benjamin Harrison. 


1889. 


4 


" 






24. 


Grover Cleveland. 


1893. 


" 









